Australian rugby union backs Quade Cooper, Adam Ashley-Cooper, James O’Connor, Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell remove the tape they used to prepare themselves to take on the forwards during a practice session in Sydney on Thursday, July 23, 2009. The Wallabies next match will be against South Africa in Cape Town on August 8. AAP Image/Paul Miller
The 2009 international season has seen the coming of age for Adam Ashley-Cooper. His form has been such that he is undoubtedly the Wallabies’ best back at present.
However, throughout the season, we have seen him in a range of different positions. The number that AAC has on his back has been largely determined by the availability of other members of the squad.
So today I want to discuss where Ashley-Cooper’s best position is.
The fact that AAC has been shifted around this year is largely due to injuries. He started the year in competition for the 15 spot with James O’Connor but quickly proved he was the better choice for fullback.
Then came the injury to Stirling Mortlock in South Africa.
This meant a re-shuffle in the backline, which resulted in AAC being in the No.12 jersey inside Ryan Cross for the match in Perth. In my opinion, this game was Ashley-Cooper’s least effective of the year and seemed to show that he is not a No.12.
However, when he was again placed there for the match in Tokyo, AAC pulled out a sublime performance in a clearly beaten team.
For the latter part of the Tri-Nations AAC was wearing the No.13 jersey and he played particularly well for the Wallabies. So much so that serious questions were being asked around whether or not a fit Stirling Mortlock was good enough to regain his place.
Now to decide which is his best position.
While he had a good game in Tokyo, I believe AAC is not an inside-centre. He doesn’t quite have the kicking and distribution skills needed in such a position.
So it leaves us with centre and fullback.
I personally believe that Australia needs him at 15 rather than 13 but that’s not to say this is his better position. However, it remains to be seen whether Mortlock can recapture some form so perhaps AAC will be needed in the midfield in the near future.
For this tour, Ashley-Cooper’s place in the side is again determined by the number of injuries within the squad.
One would think that Ryan Cross has again played him self out of the side after the weekend’s performance so it leaves us searching for a centre until Mortlock returns for the Ireland match.
There is also the issue of finding a suitable replacement for Barnes at 12.
I think O’Connor has shown that he is not able to perform to his potential when played at fullback so either needs to be benched, or played in his best position at 12. This also leaves a hole at fullback and I would not be playing Turner or Mitchell there.
They, like O’Connor, are too frail as a last line of defence.
Consequently I would put AAC at fullback and leave him there for the rest of the tour. Although he is arguably our best 13, the lack of a suitable replacement at 15 means that he is our best option. Perhaps if Cameron Shephard returns from injury next year and is able to regain his form then he could be an option.
But until then, AAC is my 15.
Finding a midfield replacement is a bit more difficult. If anyone, particularly Tyrone Smith, is able to demand selection through their midweek performance then this could solve the problem.
Otherwise I would be tempted to move Ioane into centre and have O’Connor or Quade Cooper combining with Giteau as the 10/12 combination. This then leaves a wing spot open for Turner, Mitchell or possibly O’Connor if Cooper is preferred at 10/12.
Either way, it is inevitable that there will be a weak link amongst the backline due to the injuries which have hit the midfield.
Let’s just hope that the rest of the backs follow Adam Ashley-Cooper’s lead and start to find some form.
Gary
Guest
Cameron shepherd is back in full training with the Force so hopefully will be fit next Tri Nations and beyond. He is easily the first choice for fullback if fit and he has a hell of a long range kick for goal as a bonus.
Terry Kidd
Guest
Ben, have a look at a replay on You-tube ..... at the time Palu was driving for the line, ball carried in left arm held against chest, fending off tacklers directly in front and right front of him. Palu's charge took him to the right of Nonu, still with 2 defenders in front and grappling him, Nonu was thus on Palu's immediate left and as Palu went past him Nonu reefed at the arm carrying the ball. Entirely legal on Nonu's part and on that basis it is hard to fault Palu for losing the ball. Apart from Hynes, Palu got closer to the try line, and more often, than any other Wallaby. I reckon you were just a bit tough on him saying he dropped the pill twice.
Ben
Guest
Hmmm OK Nonu is a big boy but he plays no.12 whereas Palu is no.8 ? Did I say something about excuses and being too forgiving.
Terry Kidd
Guest
I am sure this is a coaches instructions ...... Stillmissit, mate I can't believe that any coach would instruct a FB to retreat after kicking when the result of the kick was going to leave all his team mates off side, inside their own half, and gift possession uncontested to the opposition. No doubt the kick was meant to go a lot deeper, but so what? What is the point of putting up that type of kick at all if you don't run your team mates on side so that the ball maybe contested? Schoolboy coaches don't coach this into their back threes and I refuse to believe that an international coach would do so. Please if you know better then enlighten me on what the object of the tactic is. Please remember that in this situation no other player was behind ACC and therefore able to chase the kick, he and he alone could do it, should have done it.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Terry - agree but I am sure this is a coaches instructions, I have seen this many times from several different FB's. I don't class this as AAC doing a weak or poor thing.
Terry Kidd
Guest
Ben, Palu did not drop the ball in the second half while going for the line, it was ripped out by Nonu ... legally I might add. Stillmissit .... the problem was that there was no one behind ACC when he kicked. He had to run people onside. Yes, one of the wingers should have dropped back in behind but no way should ACC have kicked right then and there. Mudskipper, I can forgive a wayward kick occasionally, what I can't forgive is what he did after the kick. You simply cannot retreat. Also when he saw it was a poor kick it was doubly important for him to run people on side so it could be contested and defended. Sorry, but that simply isn't good enough for a test level fullback. I like the guy as a player but wearing No 13 and nothing else.
IronAwe
Guest
Huxley has always been good at those kicks, even at schoolboy level he was known for low long touch-finders. I think he struggled to find the confidence to play his natural game at super 14, hopefully he can come back. Would be very inspirational to the team.
Amy91
Guest
I think he is best in 13. However - at the moment - for teams sake he should probs be in 15. Backline for now (due to injuries etc.) should be: 15. AAC 14. Hynes 13. Ioane 12. O'Connor 11. Mitchell 10. Giteau 9. Genia
AndyS
Guest
For mine, AAC is best at 13 but is currently the best option available at 15 even though I don't rate his kicking game there. So, assuming he plays there, there is the question of the centres. Right or wrong, I think that Giteau will remain at 10 for the duration of the tour so it comes down to the 12/13 combination. If Cross plays 13, I'd play O'Connor at 12 - unless I misheard, the observation was made that he ended up defending at 12 on the weekend anyway. As any question marks are over his defense rather than attack, if he is to defend there he might as well play there. Different style of kicking, less up-and-unders and a focus on ball in hand would probably suit him well. More importantly, Giteau/JO'C/Cross is an established relationship and defensive structure. They may not individually match with others, but they did work together pretty well at S14 (if there was a defensive liability in that team, it was Mitchell at 15). However, once Mortlock is back I'd MAYBE think about Smith. He wasn't first choice for the tour (presumably on form) and I don't know how much time he and Mortlock played together at the Brumbies, but again if there is an established understanding it can only help the less experienced player. The other options would be Ioane at 13 (with God knows who at 12 and on the wing), or AAC at 13 (and God knows what defense at 15).
Ben
Guest
hmmmm cannot remember too many bad kicks from Dan Carter ? Problem with Australian rugby is it is too forgiving. Examples : I see the commentary from Saturday where Palu was "unlucky" where he dropped the ball going for a try ..............he dropped it because he is not good enough. Another where the lineout was appalliing but the set pieces had improved ? Great improved from where ? 2005 when England tore us apart. The fact is our depth in terrible and the ARU do nothing to make the game any more appealling in Australia.
mudskipper
Guest
Gaz isn't eligible for the Wallabies until he is signed with an Australia S14 -15 province... So if he wants RWC glory he needs to sign for 2010 or 2011… keep in mind in Paris he is playing winger. Give him a season at 13 and he could be very handy in the Wallabies mix… As squad depth wins RWC… ..
mudskipper
Guest
TK every player has a poor kick every now and then...
mudskipper
Guest
he went across after Shute shield for a month or so and the semi finals...
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Terry - you see this so often these days that I think it is a plot. The full back must fall back to ensure the last line against a countrer attack and whoever is onside has the responsibility of putting the rest of them onside. I would prefer a wing to fall back and cover FB but this is soooooo old hat these, smart, informed, days. Rather to let the opposition just have the ball and we can all sit back and watch what they do with it. Of course we have 8 forwards in the back line ready to pounce! or should that be ponce!
Terry Kidd
Guest
Brett, it wasn't so much ACC's kick that worried me but what he did immediately after. He retreated, when every schoolboy fullback knows that the first thing you must do, no matter how bad the kick, is run everyone onside. ACC didn't do this, he retreated which meant every other Wallaby was off side (or could not advance to the ball) and thus gifted possession to the ABs inside our own half ..... and the kick was an option he didn't have to take. Nope, not good enough for fullback. Play him at 13 where he is best suited.
Brett McKay
Expert
Muddie, I didn't know that, I'd seen Toomua play for Easts, but admittedly that was a while ago. Tah's got it on the head then, he'd be cherry ripe for a run now...
Chris
Guest
Wow - I had no idea Toomua played in the Currie Cup. That is certainly better practice than playing Shute Shield.
True Tah
Guest
I would put money on Toomua being more match fit than any of the other wallabies, why wouldnt Deans consider playing him?
mudskipper
Guest
Toomua also went across and played in the Currie cup for Western Province no less. And he did well replacing Grant at times or sliding in with Grant moving to 12. Not bad for a 19 years kid with only a dozen super matches to his credit... The kid has poise and skill; he sees the game clearly... I hope he gets a run against Gloucester tomorrow morning… If he was a horse he be in Bart Cummings stables… I guess a Brumby is a close as it gets in the rugby world… haha… on that note better go catch the race…
Armchair-critic
Roar Pro
Yes i didn't word my post very well he would be the first picked Put it this way, I'd say he'd be the first to be given a jersey but they wouldn't stick a number on the back of it until everyone else has theirs.